Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;HARPER SEVEN&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Harper Seven’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple/violet with a white haze in the center; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Harper Seven’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Harper Seven’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceous perennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable for cultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantly epiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy, oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodial growth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. The leaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in the horticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for the florist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home or interiorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often with many showy flowers which open in succession beginning with the lowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; the lateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, is three-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flower segments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexual propagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which frequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be planted in a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Harper Seven’ is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by its attractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Harper Seven’ originated from a cross made by the inventor in 2004 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female or seed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Four Seasons’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Brother Success’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Harper Seven’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2012 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture (mericloning) was first performed in November, 2012 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Harper Seven’, which in combination distinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are purple/violet with a white haze in the         center;     -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;     -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using         tissue culture;     -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and     -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Harper Seven’, the flowers of the female parent ‘Four Seasons’ are purple, whereas the color of ‘Harper Seven’ is purple/violet. Also the color and shape of the labellum differs from ‘Harper Seven’. The flowers of the male parent ‘Brother Success’ are darker in color than the flowers of ‘Harper Seven’ Also the labellum of ‘Brother Success’ is red/purple, whereas the labellum of ‘Harper Seven’ is purple/violet.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Harper Seven’ can be meaningfully compared is ‘FLOR183733’ (U.S. Pat. No. 27,235). The intensity of the purple/violet of the flowers differs and also the color of the labellum. ‘Harper Seven has a darker colored labellum with 18 mm long cirrhi, whereas the labellum of ‘FLOR183733’ is lighter in color with 11 cm long cirrhi.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis ‘Harper Seven’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘Harper Seven’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘Harper Seven’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Harper Seven’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Harper Seven’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Harper Seven’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Harper Seven’ as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Harper Seven’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phase of ‘Harper Seven’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Harper Seven’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of ‘Harper Seven’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the ‘Harper Seven’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘Four Seasons’, unpatented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘Brother Success’, unpatented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—tissue culture.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-8             mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190A); freely             branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue             culture to initiate roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest             flower): about 55 cm Spread: about 50 cm.         -   Growth habit.—standard; green leaves (RHS N137B) and a             relatively normal raceme.         -   Vigor.—moderate.         -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks             2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after             a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of             about 19° C. about 1-3 racemes with flowers appear. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-8 leaves are produced before             flowering.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two             sides.         -   Overall Shape of leaf.—oval; the tip is blunt and             asymmetric.         -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.         -   Pubescence.—none.         -   Mature leaf length.—about 19 cm.         -   Mature leaf width.—about 9 cm.         -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 2 mm.         -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS N137B) Under side:             green (RHS 137B).         -   Leaf base.—acute.         -   Margin.—entire.         -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper side:             green (RHS 137A) under side: green (RHS 137B) with brown             (RHS 200A). -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower. -   Raceme:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—about 1-3.         -   Number of flowers per raceme.—about 8-16.         -   Length.—about 30 cm.         -   Diameter.—about 4 mm. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—about 25 cm.         -   Diameter.—about 4 mm.         -   Strength.—strong.         -   Aspect.—upright.         -   Texture.—glabrous and smooth.         -   Color.—Green (RHS 137C) and green (RHS 138B).         -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 20 mm Diameter (at             midpoint): about 20 mm Shape: asymmetric oval Color:             red/purple (RHS 71A) with a yellow/green haze (RHS 144B)             Orientation: same as flowers (forward facing).         -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that             has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a             temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after             a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-3             racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers             can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a             plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.         -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;             lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.         -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.         -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3             days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at             opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of             Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom): Height:             about 70 mm Diameter: about 85 mm Quantity and arrangement:             three petals and three sepals that are trimerous,             overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are more             pronounced than sepals.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2             lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall             shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped Apex: round Margin:             entire and weakly undulate Base: broadly ovate Length: about             50 mm Width: about 40 mm Texture: Upper surface: smooth and             satiny Under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully             opened): upper side: Main color is purple/violet (a             combination of RHS N80A and RHS N80B). At the base a white             haze (RHS NN155C) and some small white spots (RHS N155B).             Under side: purple violet (RHS N80C with some RHS N80B) with             some white at the base (RHS NN155D). Labellum: Overall             shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at central             junction of the lateral lobes and base of the midlobe.             Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward about the column; the             midlobe extends forward and is terminated by 2 appendages at             the apex. Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape             while the midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it.             Margin: entire and weakly undulate Apex of the midlobe and             lateral lobes: oval Length midlobe: about 25 mm Width             midlobe (not flattened): about 20 mm Length lateral lobe:             about 20 mm Width lateral lobe (not flattened): about 15 mm             Depth of tube created by lateral lobes of labellum: about 15             mm Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny Color             (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper side: Main color is             purple/violet (RHS N80A) with some red/purple spots (RHS             59A). At the base some yellow (RHS 13A) and in the corners             greyed/orange (RHS 167C). Under side: Main color is             purple/violet (RHS N80B and RHS N80C). At the edges some             purple/violet (RHS N80A). At the base some red/purple spots             (RHS 59A) and a greyed/orange haze (RHS 9A) with some yellow             (RHS 13A). Lateral lobes, upper side: Main color is             purple/violet (RHS N80A). At the base white (RHS NN155D)             with red/purple stripes (RHS 59A) and some yellow (RHS 12A).             Lower edge some greyed/orange (RHS 166C). Under side: Main             color is purple/violet (combination of RHS N80A, RHS N80B             and RHS N80C). At the base white (RHS NN155C) with a little             yellow (RHS 12A) and some red/purple spots (RHS 59A).             Cirrhi: about 15 mm color: purple/violet (RHS N81D) with             purple/violet spots (RHS N81A) Pestle (Callosities): Length:             about 5 mm Width (not flattened): about 5 mm Color: yellow             (RHS 12A) with some yellow/green (RHS 1C) and red/purple             stripes/spots (RHS 59A).         -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one             dorsal and two lateral sepals Overall shape: elliptical and             weakly cupped Margin: entire and weakly undulate Length:             about 40 mm Width: about 25 mm Apex: oval Texture: Upper and             under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened):             Upper side, dorsal: upper side: Main color is purple/violet             (a combination of RHS N80A and RHS N80B). At the base a             white mark (RHS NN155C) and some small white spots (RHS             N155B). With small white edges (RHS N155B). Lateral: Main             color is purple/violet (a combination of RHS N80A and RHS             N80B). At the base some white (RHS 155C) with a yellow/green             haze (RHS 145B) and with purple spots (RHS 77A). Under side,             dorsal: Main color is purple/violet (a combination of RHS             N80A and RHS N80B) with small white edges (RHS N155B)             Lateral: purple/violet (a combination of RHS N80A and RHS             N80B) with a yellow/green haze (RHS 153A).         -   Pedicel.—Length: about 4 cm Diameter: about 4 mm Texture:             glabrous and smooth Color: yellow/green (RHS 145C) with a             haze of brown (RHS N200A) and near the flower some             purple/violet (RHS N80C). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a             single, short structure called the column, possessing one             terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,             which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located             under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior             with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.         -   Column.—Length: about 16 mm Diameter: about 5 mm Color:             purple/violet (RHS N80B and RHS N80C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two Diameter: about 4 mm Color:             yellow/orange (RHS 23A).         -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm Diameter: about 2 mm Color: white             (RHS NN155D). -   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.     and to a high temperature about 30° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Harper Seven’, as illustrated and described herein. 